Shohei Ohtani's Dodgers No. 17 jersey broke Fanatics’ record for highest sales within the first 48 hours of release and made history for Fanatics' Japan business too.
After inking the largest deal in North American sports history, the MLB player now holds Fanatics' all-time record for highest sales within the first 48 hours of a jersey release.
Ohtani jerseys sold at a rate that more than doubled the previous record holder's: soccer megastar Lionel Messi, and his move to Inter Miami. Rounding out the top five is footballer Cristiano Ronaldo's Manchester United jersey at third, NFL quarterback Justin Fields' Bears jersey ranks fourth, and Phillies superstar Bryce Harper coming in at fifth.
Fanatics Japan Sees Soaring Sales
Fanatics, which operates the MLB online store in Japan, confirmed that in the 48 hours since launch, it sold more Ohtani LA Dodgers jerseys in Japan than all MLB teams combined in the last two years. The Ohtani Dodgers jersey is already the bestselling personalized jersey ever for Fanatics’ Japan business, which launched in 2018, and has now solidified Ohtani as the single biggest player sales in Fanatics Japan history!